Dear Mr. Schußmann, thank you very much for answering a few questions about dual study programs from a company’s perspective. To start, could you tell us a little about yourself and your responsibilities at KUKA, particularly with regard to the training of dual students?

Manfred Schußmann: I’m the training manager for all initial training programs at KUKA, whether it’s standard vocational training, combined study programs, dual master’s programs, traineeships, theses, or internships. We provide training in 10 vocational fields and offer seven different degree programs as combined study programs. The combined study program is a great collaborative effort—it’s fun, and it produces excellent results.

Why did KUKA decide to collaborate with the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg on the dual study program?

Manfred Schußmann: The theory taught at THA is needed within the company. At the same time, we found that other dual study models lacked depth in practical application. In the company, students gain practical experience, while the theory comes from the university.

Another important aspect of the dual study program is the expansion of networks within the company. You never get to know a company as well as you do during an apprenticeship. So in the dual model, in addition to your studies, you also experience the company from the ground up: How does KUKA operate, and what are its requirements? You see that right from the start.

What advantages does a dual study program offer for your trainees and for KUKA as a company?

Manfred Schußmann: They learn everything right from the start. Dual-track students are also involved in production. When they then move into design, they already have a practical perspective. Their way of thinking is quite different.

It always takes time to really settle into a company. In a dual study program, by the end of the vocational training or the end of the degree program, you’re ready to jump right in and continue working full-time at the company.

In addition, the dual study program offers a safety net. If you encounter difficulties in your studies, you still have your vocational training to fall back on. It’s a foundation that no one can take away from you, and you can always build on it. The dual study program therefore offers a high degree of security through the combination of academic studies and vocational training.

What is everyday life like during the apprenticeship at KUKA?

Manfred Schußmann: The three-year apprenticeship can be clearly illustrated using the image of a seesaw. At the beginning, the apprentices are at the training center while also attending vocational school. In the second year of the apprenticeship, the seesaw then begins to tilt in the other direction—toward hands-on experience. The ratio is roughly 50/50: In addition to specialized advanced courses at the training center, trainees perform simple tasks directly on the production floor at the company. In the third year of training, trainees spend 80% of their time at the company. During this period, they are expected to settle into their target department. In this way, the training program maintains the optimal balance between theory and practice.

During the semester, dual-enrollment students, like all other students, are exclusively at the university. During breaks from classes, they work at the company. They have 30 days of vacation, which can be taken during breaks from classes.

At the start of the dual study program, students learn the basics in the training workshop: turning, welding, milling, pneumatics, and hydraulics. Then, the dual-track students gradually move more and more into production.

Starting with the practical semester, they are assigned to engineering-related tasks. Depending on the students’ interests, this may include working on external projects—even abroad—or in the design department. The goal is for the students to discover where their strengths lie and where they feel most comfortable. Six months before the end of the training program, goal-setting meetings are held to discuss where they see themselves in the company in the future.

The dual-track students choose the topic of their bachelor’s thesis independently; this is also an opportunity for them to find their place within a department. Our goal is always to hire these young people. Hiring is tailored to our needs from the very beginning.

Where do you see challenges in the dual study program?

Manfred Schußmann: Naturally, the company wants the apprenticeship and the degree program to be successfully completed. As an employer, we monitor the apprenticeship and provide support wherever we can. In addition, students in the dual study program receive compensation from the company for the entire duration of their contract, including during the semester. That’s why we generally hope they’ll graduate within the standard period of study.

On the topic of work-life balance—or balancing vocational training, studies, and personal life—what is your impression when you think of your employees in the dual study program?

Manfred Schußmann: There’s definitely enough free time for hobbies, and KUKA supports social engagement. For example, if dual-track students want to join Starkstrom, the university’s Formula Student team. We also have a youth and apprenticeship council at KUKA. It regularly organizes events for the apprentices and students.

During the apprenticeship, there’s no remote work, but the training center is fully digitized, and we also collaborate virtually—for example, via Microsoft Teams. Once the vocational training is complete and the dual-track students are assigned to engineering-related roles, remote work becomes possible.

In the combined study program, students alternate between the university and the company. How does the transition work?

Manfred Schußmann: On the one hand, it’s important to give students the freedom to pursue their interests and figure out where they fit within the company. On the other hand, we’re always in contact with the dual-track students, especially around the time of the transition between the university and the company. So we meet every time before they return to the university or when the students come back to the company after a semester to see what concerns they have and to ensure a smooth coordination between their studies and their training. Of course, we also maintain contact with the university itself through meetings.

What prerequisites must prospective students meet, and what requirements do you have for your dual-track students?

Manfred Schußmann: For the dual study program, students need a high school diploma or a FOS degree. It’s important to us that we’ve had a chance to get to know each other beforehand, whether through career fairs or an internship. The trial internship is a great opportunity because that’s exactly what it’s all about—allowing young people and us as a company to “get a feel for each other.” It has to be a good fit for both sides. Yes, the grades in the relevant subjects have to be good, but there also has to be a personal connection. The key is that people are interested in the field and want to work in that area.

How can someone apply for a dual degree program at KUKA?

Manfred Schußmann: Simply apply online through our website. Open positions are usually posted there in August or September.

More on this topic

Click here for the interview with dual-program student Lukas Wenger.